A Christian - a true disciple of Jesus - I suggested in the previous post, is someone who enjoys a Presence, even the Presence of the Lord Jesus. But such a person also, we discover, forms a practice.
The apostle Paul, shares this encouragement with us: “Rejoice in the Lord always; and, again I say, ‘Rejoice’” (Phil. 4:4). What not everyone realises is that he was writing while under "house arrest" in Rome. While that wasn't as bad as being in a prison cell, it was no picnic! He would have been constantly chained to a Roman soldier and, while this was not as bad as the conditions in, for example, the Philippian jail where he spent a night alongside his partner in the Gospel, Silas, it was a loss of freedom. In addition, while modern prisons provide food, medicine, etc., ancient prisons provided almost nothing for prisoners. To survive, a prisoner's family or friends had to bring him food, blankets, medicine, and other necessities. Not the sort of conditions in which any of us would wish to spend our summer holiday!!
Yet it’s almost as if Paul tells his amanuensis (scribe) to write “Rejoice”; stops; recalls the many hardships he had experienced as disciple of Jesus; and thinks of what he knew might lie ahead – his own beheading. He thought of this young fellowship in Philippi – and all the dangers and difficulties that these believers were certain to experience. And he says, in effect, “I know what I’m talking about; I’ve considered everything that can possibly happen; I’ve counted the cost; and still I say it – “Rejoice”.’
Prof Barclay writes: “The Christian joy is independent of all things on earth, because the Christian joy has its source in the presence of Christ. Two lovers,” he continues, “are always happy when they are together, no matter where they are. That is why the Christian can never lose his [or her] joy, because he [or she] can never lose Jesus Christ.” (Daily Study Bible, in loc. bracketed words added).
Paul tells us two things we must do to ensure that we have this joy, deep down in our hearts. The first of these, unsurprisingly, is prayer
Life can be worrying for many of us. So Paul tells us “Don’t worry; pray” (see v.6). Nothing is too small, or too great, to take to Father God in prayer. Many years ago, the former Strathclyde Regional Council sent out, to every employee, an A4 sheet of paper with a list of telephone numbers to be used when one was stressed, worried, facing seemingly insurmountable problems. In my school we were instructed to stick a copy on the wall of each staff base. Being an obedient employee, I did so. However, I printed off another sheet of A4 paper and stuck it up, immediately below the other. It had only two words printed on it – “Alternatively, pray!” (By the way, my headmaster saw it - and agreed!).
There’s a certain kind of worry that betrays a lack of trust in the love of God; in His care for us. Peter Marshall, a son of the Lanarkshire town of Coatbridge, who emigrated to the USA and eventually became a much-loved and respected Chaplain to the US Senate spoke, in one of his recorded messages, of ulcers as “the badge of our lack of faith”; the mark of our unbelief and meagre trust in the all-loving, all-powerful, all-caring God Whom we profess to follow. Prayer, and then praise.
Praise is an important accompaniment to true prayer. Praise reminds us of His love and care as we have already experienced them. The Gaither Vocal Band (the, impo, best line-up of David Phelps, Guy Penrod, Mark Lowry, and Bill Gaither) sang a song that contained these words: “The miles that I’ve travelled have proved my Lord true”. And, as already mentioned, it was in the Roman jail in Philippi itself that we read of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. These “servants of the Most High God”, as the slave-girl had correctly described them, were used by that same God to free her from the spirit of divination that brought great financial gain to her owners – but left her tortured in her own spirit. And her owners didn’t like to see their investment turn so sour. So they had Paul and Silas brought before the magistrates who had them flogged and thrown into “the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
But at midnight, Paul and Silas were whining and whinging; bemoaning their lot; complaining about their situation and circumstances! No, we read that they were – “praying, and singing hymns to God ...” Not the kind of reaction that would have been expected of high-security prisoners then, any more than now.
We may pray about anything, and may praise in every situation. May give thanks in times of laughter, and of tears; in joy, and in sorrow; in good times, and in bad. Because when we can truly do that, then we are truly in the will of God, in perfect submission – and in that, is fulness of joy.
For anyone who is, at this time, dealing with difficulties, here is a song, the lyrics of which may help!
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